The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Apr 2017
The effects of postoperative hematocrit on shunt occlusion for neonates undergoing single ventricle palliation.
Our primary objective was to test the effects of first postoperative hematocrit on early shunt occlusion for children undergoing systemic to pulmonary artery shunt placement. Because any intervention to reduce shunt occlusion is only beneficial if it reduces mortality or is, at least, mortality neutral, we also tested the effects of first postoperative hematocrit on in-hospital mortality. ⋯ Higher postoperative hematocrit levels are associated with early shunt occlusions in infants undergoing primary systemic to pulmonary artery shunt placement. Multicenter investigations are warranted to validate these findings and to determine ideal postoperative hematocrit targets for this population.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Apr 2017
Right ventricular dysfunction affects survival after surgical left ventricular restoration.
Several clinical and left ventricular parameters have been associated with prognosis after surgical left ventricular restoration in patients with ischemic heart failure. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of right ventricular function. ⋯ Baseline right ventricular systolic dysfunction is independently associated with increased mortality in patients with ischemic heart failure undergoing surgical left ventricular restoration.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Apr 2017
Obtaining the biomechanical behavior of ascending aortic aneurysm via the use of novel speckle tracking echocardiography.
Ex vivo measurement of ascending aortic biomechanical properties may help understand the risk for rupture or dissection of dilated ascending aortas. A validated in vivo method that can predict aortic biomechanics does not exist. Speckle tracking transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been used to measure ventricular stiffness; we sought to determine whether speckle TEE could be adapted to estimate aortic stiffness in vivo and compare these findings with those obtained by ex vivo tissue measurements. ⋯ The use of speckle TEE appears to be a promising technique to estimate ex vivo mechanical properties of the ascending aortic tissue.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Apr 2017
Surgery for predominant lesion in nonlocalized bronchiectasis.
Patients with nonlocalized bronchiectasis are encountered commonly; however, there is little information regarding surgical intervention in this patient population. The aim of this study was to evaluate symptomatic response and safety of anatomic resection of the predominant lesion via the use of lobectomy for the management of nonlocalized bronchiectasis. ⋯ Lobectomy for the predominant lesion is a safe procedure in the surgical treatment of nonlocalized bronchiectasis and leads to significant relief of symptoms with good rates of satisfaction.